Continental Congress Meets

Continental Congress Meets

Sep 5, 1774

-all colonies but Georgia has representatives.
-voted to send a "statement of grievances".
-voted a boycott all British trade

1000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way.

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming… The British are coming.."

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington -
1st battle of American Revolutionary War
“shot heard round the world” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord -
Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
AMERICAN Victory

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

-Print money
-Set up post office
-created continental Army led by George Washington

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory

Battle of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on Breed’s Hill
“Don’t Fire until you see the whites of their eyes” - William Prescott
BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston With Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

-Realizes men are disorganized
-need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots.
-“Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART” -Thomas Paine, Common Sense

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

-Washington beleives his army is ready & weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat-American Victory

Second Continental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

-Debate on declaring independence from Great Britain
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Continental Congress votes for Independence

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence

The Declaration of independence is signed!

Jul 4, 1776